BATON ROUGE -- The Tiger Athletic Foundation announced on Friday changes in its leadership structure.

Major General Ron Richard, USMC (Retired), is stepping down as the President and CEO of the non-profit organization that supports LSU Athletics. Rick Perry, long-time TAF employee and current Senior Vice-President has been named President and CEO. General Richard will remain with TAF in the role of President and CEO Emeritus.

A number of major TAF projects and successes have taken place during Richard's term as President and CEO, including the Cox Communication Center for Student Athletes, the LSU Football Operations Center, the west side addition to Tiger Stadium, and most recently the South End Zone expansion of Tiger Stadium.

"We have discussed the leadership transition for several years now, but decided it was best to keep the full team intact throughout the South End Zone construction,” Richard stated. “With the successful completion of the project less than a month away, and after consultation with TAF’s Executive Committee, President (Dr. F. King) Alexander and (Vice-Chancellor/Director of Athletics) Joe Alleva, we all felt it was time to go forward with the transition. I'm proud of the many accomplishments that I and my staff have seen during my tenure and I am looking forward to my new role at TAF and continuing to help our University, our Board of Directors, Rick, and the staff as we take on new challenges. "

Perry, the new President and CEO, is quite familiar to the TAF membership as he has served the organization for the past twenty-seven years.

"As an LSU alumnus, I am honored and thrilled to have this opportunity to serve our university, the LSU athletic department, and the greatest fan base in America as the President and CEO of TAF,” said Perry. “The generosity and support by the TAF members has played a vital role in what has been perhaps the greatest two decades in LSU athletic history. Our goal will be to not only provide support to continue that legacy of excellence, but to strive to reach even greater heights."

The Tiger Athletic Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to supporting LSU athletics and its twenty-one intercollegiate sports programs.